Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s persistent criticisms of District Judge Lewis Kaplan in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case have raised apprehensions about potential legal consequences, with a former lawyer suggesting the Republican could face imprisonment.
In ongoing legal proceedings initiated by E. Jean Carroll, who accuses Trump of raping her in the mid-1990s, Newsweek reported on Saturday, January 20, 2024, that the ex-president has repeatedly criticized Judge Kaplan both online and in the courtroom.
This week, Judge Kaplan issued a warning about the possibility of removing Trump from the courtroom if his disruptive behavior continues.
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Carroll, aged 80, seeks at least $10 million in damages for reputational harm, stemming from Trump’s statements in June 2019, where he denied the allegations and accused Carroll of fabricating the story for her memoir’s promotion.
While emphasizing Trump’s right to be present in the trial, Judge Kaplan cautioned that this right might be forfeited if Trump continues to be disruptive or disregards court orders.
Expressing hope that exclusion from the trial won’t be necessary, Judge Kaplan acknowledged Trump’s eagerness for such action. Trump, in response, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “I would love it,” upon the possibility of being excluded.
Leaving the courtroom, Trump labeled Judge Kaplan as a ‘nasty judge’ and someone who dislikes him. A former lawyer, Joe Gallina, suggests that Trump’s ongoing disruptions might lead to imprisonment.
Speaking to Mary Trump, the ex-president’s niece and vocal critic, Gallina mentioned that Trump’s push for a mistrial could result in severe consequences beyond Carroll’s sought damages.
Gallina believes Trump is leveraging his court appearances to communicate with his supporter base, portraying himself as a victim and discrediting the judge, intimidating Carroll, and undermining the accusations as a political ‘witch hunt.’
Despite gaining political support, Gallina notes that Trump is harming his legal position and creating a dilemma. Efforts to satisfy his political base may alienate the jury, potentially resulting in higher damages than the $5 million awarded in a previous trial where Trump was found guilty of sexually abusing Carroll.
Highlighting Judge Kaplan’s authority, Gallina notes that various punishments, including fines and the possibility of imprisonment for contempt, could be imposed if Trump persists in disruptive behavior. Contempt of court involves disrespect or interference with court proceedings.
In a recent development, Trump’s lawyers requested a mistrial, citing a plaintiff’s admission of deleting death threat emails as prejudicial to Trump’s defense. The lawyers argue that this violates a federal rule requiring the preservation of emails for litigation. The trial is ongoing in New York.
